Red Sox blast Yankees

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Boston Red Sox further slammed the slim playoff hopes of the New York Yankees on Wednesday, routing them 11-3 at Yankee Stadium for a second straight win.

Second baseman Dustin Pedroia went 3-for-5 with his first-career grand slam during the Red Sox seven-run eighth inning to lead his team past New York for the second night in a row.

The Yankees (70-62) came into the three-game series needing a good showing in order to keep pace in the American League Wildcard race, but the two straight losses have dropped them seven games behind race-leading Boston (77-55).

"We couldn't have been any worse the first two games," Yankee Captain Derek Jeter told reporters, after finishing 1-for-4 at the plate.

"A lot of people are counting us out," he added. "It's our job to prove them wrong."

Reliever Jose Veras was responsible for five earned runs in 1/3 inning during the eighth as the Red Sox put the game out of reach.

Jason Bay continued his solid play since being traded to Boston for Manny Ramirez last month, going 2-for-4 with four RBIs.

Bay's two-run double in the first gave the Red Sox an early 2-0 edge over the Yankees and starter Sidney Ponson, who lasted just 4 2/3 innings.

Red Sox starter Paul Byrd picked up the victory in a six-inning effort that saw the right-hander allow two runs.

New York third baseman Alex Rodriguez bounced back from a 0-for-5 performance one night before, finishing with two doubles and an RBI in the defeat.

Boston will shoot for the series sweep on Thursday with starting pitcher Jon Lester (12-5) on the mound.

(Reporting by Jahmal Corner, editing by N.Ananthanarayanan)